AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin and its partners have closed encampments at Barton Creek Greenbelt, Williamson Creek East, Indian Grass Prairie, and North Walnut Creek. This initiative welcomed 63 unhoused residents to the Northbridge and Southbridge shelters as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative.
People experiencing homelessness at these sites were offered access to shelter and connections to housing resources. Through a cross-departmental effort, the City developed a mobile encampment assessment tool that measures over 40 factors to prioritize encampments for HEAL intervention.
“Transitioning from encampments into shelter signifies a significant step towards stability, support, and access to resources and care. The cleanup of four encampments reflects our commitment to ensuring a safer community,” said Homeless Strategy Officer David Gray.
City Council approved the HEAL Initiative in February 2021. The HEAL Initiative is one element of the City’s broader effort to address homelessness and return public spaces to their intended uses. Since HEAL began in June 2021, over 835 individuals have moved from high-risk encampments to the City’s Northbridge and Southbridge shelters. The successful sheltering and resolution of the encampments at Barton Creek Greenbelt, Williamson Creek East, Indian Grass Prairie, and North Walnut Creek was a collaborative effort involving the Homeless Strategy Office working closely with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin Police Department, the Austin Area Urban League, Endeavors, and other community partners.
To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness